Signal flash



oct. 22, 1946, H, REYNQLDS 2,409,957

` SIGNAL FLASH Filed Sept. 15,' 1944 IN VEN TOR.

Hozagdeyfmida V Patented Oct. 22, 1946 `VUNITED STATES l PATENTQOFF-ICE mi A .2,409,9574 I ""sIdNAL FLASHr v Howard Ilteynolds, Springfield, Ohio Application september 15, i944, 'serial No. 554,265"

This invention relates to signals 'and more particularly.' to `a signal adapted to be held in a persons hand and used as a warning signal at railroad crossings at night for preventing Aaccidents due to people failing toV notice that a train is approaching and driving an automobile or other vehicle onto tracks at a crossing.

Anotherl object ofthe invention is to provide an illuminated hand signal having a sign board or head carrying electrically illuminated signals receiving power from a battery of a flashlight which constitutes a handle for the signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal of this character wherein the sign board is carried by a cap which is detachably threaded to the upr end of the Ilashlight casing and encloses contacts which may be readily adjusted or repaired when the cap is unscrewed from the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal wherein the sign board has a warning thereon in letters having reflectors intended to be illuminated and prominently displayed when light from the headlights of a vehicle strikes the sign, the warning formed by the letters being disposed between electrically illuminated warnings visible from both sides of the board and illuminated by lamps of the flashing type lso that the attention of the operator of an automobile will be quickly attracted to the signal. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal which is simple in construction, neat in appearance, of light weight so that it may be conveniently held in a persons hand, and cheap to manufacture.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a View showing the signal in elevation.

Figure 2 is a View taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the signal showing the lens for one dashing lamp swung to opened position.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing a modified construction.

This signal has a signboard or head I which may be formed of wood, metal, or-other suitable material, and while it has been shown oval, it will be understood that it may be any outline desired. Each face of the board has the word St/op, painted, or otherwise provided thereon. It is preferred to have the warning word Stop painted in black color against a white background 2 Claims.Y (Cl. 177-329) so that it will be prominently displayed, but any color' scheme desired may be used. End portions of l the board are formed with openings 2 between Which the word Stop is located and the opposite ends of each opening are normally closed by glass plates or lenses 3 which are colored red. 4Each plate .orA lens is mounted in a frame 4 mounted for opening and closing` movement by a hinge 5 and provided with a catch 6 so that it -will be held against accidental opening movement when closed. Since the sign board carries the word Stop upon each side face and the openings 2 are formed entirely through the board and lenses mounted at opposite ends of the openings, either side of the sign board may be presented towards an approaching vehicle when a watchman desires to ,warn the driver of the vehicle that a train is approaching.

The lenses 3 are to be illuminated and in order to do so, a lamp or small bulb 1 is mounted in each opening. The bulb is screwed into a socket 8 carried by a bracket 9 and this bracket extends horizontally in the opening and has one end formed with a foot Ill through which a screw I I is passed to firmly secure the bracket against the marginal wall of the opening. A resilient contact strip I2 for engagement by the center terminal cf the bulb is disposed transversely of the bracket 9 and secured by a screw I 3 which passes through the foot I4 of the resilient contact. Upon referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the screws II and I3 also serve as terminals for engagement by wires I4 which pass through an opening I 5 drilled through the board I between the opening 2 and the marginal edge face of the board. The wires from the two openings 2 extend downwardly along the edge face of the board and are held in place by a frame or bordering strip I5. These wires enter a collar or cap I6 which is disposed midway the width of the lower portion of the sign board and has arms I'I which straddle the sign board and are perforated to receive screws I8 by means of which the collar or cap is secured in place. One of the wires leading from each opening is anchored to the co1- lar and the other is anchored to a terminal screw I9 which has its head projecting from the edge face of the sign board for contact with a center terminal 20 of a battery 2 I. Any number of batteries may be used according to the length of the ashlight casing 22 and since the casing has threaded engagement with the collar or cap, it may be detached therefrom when so desired. The casing has the usual cap 23 at its lower end and this cap carries the usual spring 24 for engaging the lower end of a `battery and pressing the center terminal of the upper battery into contacting engagement with the screw I9. There has also been provided a switch 25 of a conventional construction which may be closed by pressure of a thumb to close a circuit and cause the bulbs in the two openings 2 to be energized. The bulbs are of the flashing type and when the switch is closed they will be intermittently illuminated and since the lenses 3 are red, the attention of a driver of an approaching vehicle will be quickly attracted.

In Figure 4, there has been shown'a modified construction wherein a plate 26 is tted into the cap I6 and bears against lugs 21 projecting in wardly from the wall of the cap. This plate carries an upstanding post 28 at its center through which a bolt 29 passes for securing one of each'setA of wires I4 to the post, the other wires of the two sets vbeing in connection with the switch-25 so` that when the switch is closed, the lamps or bulbsI will be lighted. A Contact 30 which constitutes a fastener for the lower e'r'id of thev post extends through the center of rplate 2B and downwardly therefrom for Contactv with the center terminal 20 of the battery 2| to complete the circuit. When the cap is unscrewed fromthe casing 22, the plate may be drawn out of the open lower end of the `cap and repairs or adjustments'made.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A signal comprising a sign board, electrically energized signaling means carried by said sign board near opposite ends thereof, warning indicia an said sign board between the electrically energzed signaling means `including light reeoting tions and including portions vformed of light penetratable material, a bracket in said opening, a socket carried by said bracket, a bulb removably engaged in said socket, a resilient contact strip mounted in said opening transversely of said bracket with its free end in position for engaging the center contact of a bulb in the socket, wiring for said bulb connected with the bracket and the contact strip, a battery casing, a cap for said cas- -ing carried by said sign board and together therewith constituting a handle for the sign board, and a contact for the wiring disposed within the cap in position for engagement with a contact of a battery in the casing. l

HOWARD REYNOLDS. 

